Three Musavat Party Activists Sentenced to Prison

Musavat

On June 11, the Bilasuvar District Court sentenced three members of the opposition Musavat Party to prison on charges of group hooliganism—an outcome the party denounces as politically motivated.

According to the Musavat Party, Assembly members Eleddin Elesgerli and Goshgar Nurali were sentenced to two years and three months and two years in prison, respectively. Party activist Jabir Valiyev received a two-year, three-month sentence. All three were convicted under Article 221.2.1 of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, which concerns acts of hooliganism committed by a group.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred on December 31, 2024, during a holiday gathering organized by Musavat’s Bilasuvar regional branch. The event, held in a local public catering venue to mark both the New Year and the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis, was reportedly followed by a confrontation.

In statements released on its official channels, the Musavat Party claimed that the incident was a deliberate provocation orchestrated at the direction of local authorities who were displeased with the party’s growing activity in the region. “Unable to tolerate the activism of the Musavat Bilasuvar branch, local authorities ordered a provocation against our party members that day,” the party said.

Musavat further stated that Eleddin Elesgerli sustained injuries during the incident, which were confirmed by an official forensic medical examination. Nevertheless, the court allegedly imposed only a fine on the opposing party involved in the altercation, while delivering prison sentences to the three Musavat members. The party called the court’s ruling a “fabricated and baseless verdict” meant to silence political opposition.

“This is a continuation of the repressive policies in Azerbaijan,” Musavat declared, demanding the immediate release of Elesgerli, Nurali, and Valiyev.

As of publication, neither the Bilasuvar District Court nor local government officials have issued a response to Musavat’s claims.

The verdict comes amid ongoing concerns about the state of political freedoms in Azerbaijan. According to recent reports by local human rights defenders, more than 370 political prisoners are currently being held across the country. Azerbaijani authorities, however, reject the label of “political prisoner,” insisting that all individuals in detention have been prosecuted for specific criminal offenses.